Telephone-exchange apparatus.



0. H. NORTH. TELEPHONE EXCHANGE APPARATUS.

APPLICATION FILED APR. 4, 1911.

1, 1 30, 1 90., Patented Mar. 2, 1915.

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TELEPHONE EXCHANGE APPAR XTUS. APPLIOATION TILED m1: 4, 1911.

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c. H. NORTH. TELEPHONE EXCHANGE APPARATUS.

APPLICATION IfLBD APR. 4. 1911 Patented Mar. 2, 1915.

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APPLICATION FILED APRA, 1911.

- Patented Mar. 2, 1915.

7 SHEETS-6112GT 4 U, H. NORTH, TELEPHONE EXCHANGE APPARATUS.

ABPLIOATION FILED APR. 4 1011 Patented Mar. 2, 1915.

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APPLICATION FILED APR. 4, 1911.

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APPLIO'ATIQNFILED AIPRA, 1911.

Patented Mar. 2, 1915.

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l-l'. NQRT'l-I GE CLEVELAND, 21 218, ASSIGBT'BR; P3? ASSIG-NMEEQ'TS, T3

FREDERICK 3. ElTE'UEIl'f, .AEITICA, NEV? YORK i *EELEPHQNE-EXGHAIGE AEPARATllS.

mun-mu lpecificatien of Letters Patent.

hpplicatlon iiled April 4,1911. Serial 1%. 618,329.

To all whom it may concern:

Be. it lmown that I CHAnnns H. hlon'rir q 7 u 7 :1 citizen or the United Estates, residing at Cleveland in the count of Cuaho a and 7. 1 9: State oi Ohio have invented certain new n i s 1 and useitul improvements in 'lelephone-ltxchange Apparatus, of which the 'i'following is a specification, reference being had therein .to the accompanying drawing.

My invention relates to telephone exchange apparatus, and has for its object the im n'ovement thereof indivers particulsrs which will appearhereinafter.

This invention has to do among other things with the method of mounting and arranging switches of the type described and illustrated in my Patent No. 977,536, patent-ed December 6,. 1910; and while it relates particularly to the mechanical features of the so-called Qleincnt-Automanusl exchange systems, it may be usefully employed in connection with any automatic or semi autiunatic system to which this type of switch is adaptable.

Briefly stated, the invention contemplates the division of the working apparatus in an exchange into. self-contained and complete unitary sections, the seveel parts oi which shall he interchangeable, as well the sections themselves. By this means, a great deal of assembling and wiring work can be done in the factory which. has heretofore been deferred until the apparatus has been installed in place. A further and very marked advantage is that in case of accidental destruction of parts, as for example by fire, and in case of increases or additions.

to the equipment of a working exchange, new sections may be installed withoutdis turbing or rewiring those already in service. The underlying principle in the entire present case is the provision of interchange able units to form pieces of apparatus, the assemblage of these pieces of apparatus to form groups, and the disposition of such groups to form complete equipments. The smallest unit group commonly employed in telephone exchanges is one accommodating one hundred lines, and for convenience I have adopted this as my standard group or section of apparatus. .lt will of course be understood that this may be yaried Without departing from the scope of the invention.

My method of procedure is as follows: I form an individual switchof the following lifter. 2?, 19KB.

standard parts which in. themsel es' are in terchangeahle: contact hanks, e spindle with its ratcliets and wipers, and one or more working magnets; The spindle is I mounted in a frame which also supports the magnet. This frame and the banks then adapted to a switch plate, and Where two or more switchesare closely associated with wiring between them, they are mount-- ed on the same plate. Tio this'plate are also attached. the controlling the switch or switches, the condensers, 'any, which are included in the switch circuits, and any subsidiary parts such as distributing switches which are controlled by the rela s and themselves control, or are ancillary to. the main switch. Such a switch plate when wired up becomes a complete connecting unit. "A suitable number of these plates bemg then mounted together upon a common 75 rack form a section, and to the same rack I attach the pilot signals, group relays, guard lamps, cable boxes and other paraphernalia which are common to a section or group of switches. All the local or cross wiring on each section is done inthe-factory, and said section is boxed shipped ready to set up in place and operate when the line wires are attached to their terminals.

My invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings wherein Figure l is a front View. of a mounting plate stripped. Fig. 2 is a section on line c@ of Fig; 1. Fig. 3 is a side View of the some. Fig. 4 is e frontjview of the some plate with connector switch and its associated parts mounted thereon. Fig. 5 is a' side View of the some. Fig. 6 is a similar view of a plate carrying a primary and first selector switch and other associated parts. the lower end of the plate being extended to accommodate the second switch. Fig. 7 is a side viewof the same. Fig. 8 is a front VlQW of a complete section comprising a rack carrying ten of the plates shown in Fig. 1,100 and ten of the plates shown in Fig. 6,.t0- get-her with the line and cut-0E relays and auxiliary apparatus sul'cient to accommodate one hundred lines. Fig. 9 le s vertical cross section on the line 9-9 of Fig. 8 look- 105 ing in the direction of the arrows. Fig. 10 is an end View of the same section looking from the left of Fig. 8.

Referring first to Figs. 4 and '5, S designates one'form of myswitc'h in its entirety, 0

with a frame 8, which is preferably a finished. white metal casting, ready for use when taken from the mold and covered with a thin coating of silver electrolytically dcposited. 1.5-v is the spindle carrying a pair of insulated. wipersjs which cooperate with the contactsiii the banks 5- and s. The bank a is npt showmin order that. the wipers s which coiiperate with the bank may appear. The spindle is adjusted to bring the wipers into conjunction with any desired contacts in the banks by means of rotary and vertical ratchets s and 8 with'which engage pawls carried by the armature levers s and s which are actuated by the rotary and vertical magnets 8 and s respectively. Further detailed description of this switch is thought to be unnecessary, as. in itself it forms no part of the present invention and is fully described and explained in my -aforesaid applications. Figs. land 5, hower. show the method of mounting the -'switch upon the plate P which forms the base ,or support for one of the unitary groups or assemblages of apparatus. This plate is perforated, as will presently appear, at several points, and in the perfor: tions are fined posts 72, 1 etc., drilled and tapped to receive screws in both ends. The

banks 8 and s are attached to the rear face of the plate by means of lugs 8 formed on the. upper. and lower metal plates of the banks. The frame 8 on the other hand is attaclied to the front of the plate by means of screws passing through ears .9 formed on the frame, and so into the front ends of the osts. The banks and the switch frame be- I ing thus attached to the same posts, are

closely related, the posts serving as fixed distztncev pieces, and supporting the other parts on the plate Pjwithout danger of displacement or' loss of" adjustment, whatever variations there may be in the plate.

Referringnow to' Figs. 1, 2 and 3, I have shown therein the plate P in its simplest form, intended for aconnector switch and circuit. It is shown complete withall parts mounted upon it in Figs. sl and 5, but the shape, openingsand posts are best seen in Figs. 1- and 2. The filate is punched and formed up from sheet steel, with parallel ribs 72 and 77 along its opposite edges to impart stiffness to the body. It has one large opening 2 a smaller opening 22 and 12 other still smaller openings p, 30 p, p

79 p and j? besides a considerable number of holes punched for the attaching screws of relays, and thosefor the posts 21 to 7 inclusive. Notches 22 p", 32 i and 2)? are formed in the ends of the plate to receive mounting screws on the frame of the switch board. lVit'h regard to the functions of the openings, 72 receives the one hundred-point switch S, 72 receives a rotary distributing -switch S (used for selective ringing,,ai1tomatic release, etc.) comprising a single iragnet unit 8 similar in every respect to those in the larger switch; the openin s p and ,0 receive relays R, R, .L R of Fig. s, while the openings pl, 21 and g permit the passage to the rear of the plate of the wiring terminals of the switch jack J and of the connecting and testing rack T.

Referring to Figs. 4 and 5, it will be observed that the switch S has its frame .9 provided with lugs orears for attachment to the posts p 1), y) in a manner similar to that described with regard to the switch S.

Its contact bank 8* is secured by means of show in all directions, stiffen the plate very materially and the effect of this is distributed because they are secured in the one case at four points and in the other at three. As the plate is already stiffened longitudinally by the side ribs p 30 the net result is that with the switches in place, the entire struc-,

ture is adapted to resist relatively shocks and strains without disturbance of any of the adjustments. It should be noted also that by assembling units and then aggregations of units in this manner, carefully connecting those which have common adjustments either to each other or to the same fixed, interchangeable or removable parts, I

, secure absolute uniformity of operation and interchangeability of parts. The relays ll, R, etc., are of a type described and claimed in my Patent No. 972,631, granted October 11, 1910, in which a return bar of soft iron bent over at both ends, one end 1 being attached to the plate P and the other end 1* carrying the spool T The magnet core is shorter than. the return bar and the arma ture r is located in the space between the end of the core and tlieniember a, passing upward through the return bar under the spring mounting 1 and bent at right angles to form an extended lever 1* which underlies the springs and at its outer extremity carries an insulating stud 1 to work the springs. While the structure of this relay forms in itself the subject matter of the other application referred to, yet its structure -is especially designed for use in the manner this'arrangement is that all wiring for the entire plate may be completed synnnetrically and harmoniously. on the back of the plate P where the relay springs terminate and magnet terminals r all appear, as well as the bank contacts 8 8, ands the jack term nals j and the test or disconnecting termmals t On the other hand, everything that is required for adjustment or manipulation in the ordinary operation of an exchange is located on the front of the plate. This includes theadjusting screws for the relay cores, the open ends of the relay springs, the working parts of both switches S and S' (which are moreover susceptible of removal without disturbing the bank contacts-or the wiring),'and the testing termi-- nals oii-ininiature knife blade switches in the r. The circuits employed with this apparatus-are now well understood in the art, and are commonly known as automan ual circuits. My invention may also be" used in full automatic circuits, as will be evident at once to those skilled in the art.

Figs. 6 and 7 showwhat I call, my primary and first selector plate. Theswitches S and S mounted on this plate are the same in design as the switch vSalready described, but their. functions are different. I have shown one contact bank of each of these testingswitches, that is to say the primary selector switch S contains in its banks the terminals of line circuits, with which 1t effects'connection in response to calls over the lines for the purpose of connecting them with a local trunk circuit extending to the companion switch'S The terminal rack T and jacks J,"J are located in the same relative positions on this plate as on the connector plate, but no distributing switch S s required, a pair of condensers C, C is mounted between the switches, and there are three rows of relays R instead of two as on the connector plate. Aipoint to be noted in Figs. 6 and 7 is the extension of the plate P below the side flanges p and 79 The reason for this is that the tools for making these flanges or ribs are standard, and theexception of the lengthening of the plate P, wlth any structureit is standard.

Referring now to Figs. 8, 9 and 10, I have therein shown the manner in which these plates and the associated pieces of appa ratus are mounted'on a unit section for 100 lines. It shouldbe understoodthat each of the plates P and P in Figs. 5 6, 7 and 8 1s a single 100 line unit. In other words, if the plate of Fig. 4: were mounted in con t guity to the plate of Fig. 6, with proper l1neconnections from the same group of 100 lines in multiple into the banks of the two switches S and: S and trunk connections from the trunks of the switch S to the wipers of the ssvitch S, any one of the 10Qlines could call in and obtain connection with the switch S (assuming it to be idle), thence obtain. cgntrol of the first selector switch S throiigh'its agency pick out the that switch selectllthegvanted line in the same group, connect therewith, and call up the subscriber thereon. a In practice .however this would obviously be an incomplete arrangement because only one line at a time could be used for conversation, andas the usual percentage of connecting apparatus is "ten, I assemble ten pairs of plates of this kind as best shown in Fig. 8, the connector plates P being located above, and the primary and first selector plates P being located below. The unit section frame F com prises the verticalangle irons 7, carrying the horizontal members 7, f f f F, f, 7", f and f". It will be observed that an ".open space f is left at the top ofthe frame and this isbecause the frame is designed to take another row of plates P, which however would be selector plates and would be located in place of the connector plates now shown, the latter being moved up into the present vacant space. The several plates are supported by screws tapped to the several horizontal members f, 7, 7, etc., lying in the notches 79 p, p and 79 Thus each plate is detachable as a unit without disturbing any of the other plates but of course in order to detach it the wiring on the back must be severed from the cable ends. The lowest five horizontal members marked 7 to f inclusive, carry the line and cut-off relays R" of the respective lines. t will be noted that each of these strips has twenty relays to the right and twenty-two to the left, the .two left hand end relays in each case are group relays, and the other twenty are individual relays. One of the group relays is provided for each ten lines, being connected in the ground or battery return from-the corresponding ten line relaysl The purpose of these group rela ys is to close the starting circuit of the primary selector switch, also to raise the potential of their own row contacts in the'several primary controlled by the group line relays, and

which are marked G Above these is a plate of similar dimensions to the plates P,

carrying three switches similar in every .way

to-theswitch S in Fig. 6, and which I preferably denominate distributing switches. The first of these S is the distributing switch for the operators key sets, which determines the idle key-set switch to be started in response to a call. The next switch S is a kick-oil switch, controlled by,

a relay responsive to the last impulse sent after a complete cycle of selective impulses from the operators sending machine, and under normal conditions removed from said control prior to said last impulse, by another relay energizedin the normal position of the trunk switches. Under abnormal conditions however, as for example when a .trunk whose primary selector S has connected with a calling line, contains defective or inoperative pieces of apparatus which fail to respond and make the connection desired, then at the expiration of one complete cycle of the sending machine, the last impulse previously referred to will actuate the kick-off switch which will transfer the starting wire and the call to the next idle trunk -whose primary selector switch 0 will start immediatelyto find the calling line. This prevents a bad trunk from hanging up a calling line more than a few seconds.

Below the kick-off switch is the primary distributing switch S, which is common to a group of 109 lines as are its two associated switches. This responds to current in any of its groups of lines and selects the first idle trunk whose primary selector switch S will then pick up the first calling line, and

so on.

Mounted above thedistributing switches at the left of the rowof plates P, is aplate P on which: are four generator lamps ..g to g inclusive.

The operators listening and impulse sending trunks, battery feed, common ground return, ringing current, busy back, etc, enter through the floor bushing E at the leftand are protected from mechanical injury bytl e box 6 from whence they are distributed to the various relays and switches. Mounted on the top of this box is the alarm lamp A of that section.

At th rear and on either side of the frame are Ycrtical rows of terminal blocks B B and above them lying.transi'ersely of the frame are the cable" runs of the line trunks and local trunks L L. supported in that "2.

section comprising multiple unitary interantennae.

terminate inthe ahloelrs 75, and are-dis, tributed therefrom to the blank contacts of the switches, while thcblcclrsf B receiyethc terminals ,ofthe-local trunks and .efiect the :7 multiple connections 1 between ;,'the switchesof. the difi'erantsecticnsq' I Having thusdescrihed my invention what? I claim and .desire-Atc -secure bye-Letters Patent 1sv 7 7 I 1. In a telephone exchange system," mul tiple unit sections arrangedpin predatormined ordenieach seetionincluding .unit interchangeable groups I at apparatus, each. group including a .pluralityiofinterchange Z: ea erness; ppe

able automatically operatihg electrical-sc lective switching Limits vcf different order, and suitable connections between the several sections,between the several groups 05 each section, andbetween theseveral units :of -8 each group;

2. In a telephone exchange system switch board frames, a unit secticncarried byea'ch frame, each unit section including unit interchangeable groups of apparatus, Aeach group including a plurality of interchan'geable automatically operating electrical sclective switching units of diifer'ent order,-

a-nd-suitable connections between the several sections, between the-several groups of each each group. I

3. In atelephone exchange system, a unit changeable groups of apparatus mounted upon separate detachable plat-beseech group including interchangeable automatically operating electrical selective switching units of diiferent order, and suitable connections between the groups and between the units of each group.

4. In a telephone exchange system, an interchangeable unit of apparatus, comprising a rectangular base platehaving meansfor securing it to a' support, and detachable in. terchangeable automatically operating dc.- vices including all the. switches and relays" pertaining to a single trunkmounted on said plate .within the perimeter thereof whereby a plurality of said plates may be" assembled side by side-to-constitute a 'board of substantially unbroken area.

. 5. In a telephone exchange system, annitary interchangeable group of apparatus, comprising a perforated base plate having means for securing it to a support,-auto matic switch. and relayrnechanisms detach-l ably mounted onsaid platc, the actuating elements of saidmechanisms being secured to the front of said'platc and the terminal contact elements being disposed tothe rear of said plate. I v 6. A unitary interchangeable apparatus group for telephone exchange systemacom prising a base plate having means toattach .95 section, and between the several units of it to a support, said plate having openings :therein, and automatic switching mechait to a support, said platehavi'ng openings therein, automatic switchingmechanism including magnet actuating means and banked contacts mounted on the front and rear faces of the plate respectively and wiping:

contacts extending through the plate, and relays mounted on the'front of said plates and having the contact terminals extending through adjacent openings and to the rear of the plate.

w 8. A support for a unitary apparatus group. for telephone exchange systems, co nprrslng a metal plate having openings through which attached apparatus *mayeie tend and perforated studs or posts adjacent certain of said openings adapted to support certain of such apparatus;

9; A support for-a unitary apparatus group for telephone exchange systems comprising a substantially rectangular metal plate having reinforcing ribs near its longr tudinal edges, recesses at its ends for securing it in place, openings disposed overits areaand posts adjacent certain of said openings to support certain of such apparatus.

10. As an article of manufacture a sup porting unit base, an automatically operatingselector switch detachably mounted on said base and comprising a'frame and vlfixed and movable elements, associated control relays for said switch also mounted on said base, operating circuit connections between the several relays and the switch, and terminal connections-for the said circuit and apparatus.

11. As an article of manufacture a detachable supporting unit base 'member, a

pair of permanently associated automatically operating self-contained selector unitary group of apparatus comprising a -'6 switches mounted-on said member,

vidual trunk circuit connections tween them, and connective terminals associatedtherewithr rectangular base plate having means for securing it to a support and automatically operating devices including switches and'relays mounted on said plate withinthe pe" rimeter thereof whereby a plurality of said plates may be assembled side by sideto con stitute a board of substantially unbroken. area.

'14. In a telephone exchange system a'plurality of multiple unit sectionsveach complete for calls between a"determinate num-' ber of lines, and each section comprising a number of unit groups arranged side by side, each group comprising in turn a con-- 1 I nector, a primary selector, and a first selector arranged in rectilinear order, each group and each unit of each group being i'n 7 CHARLES .n'nonrn.

Witnessesr y VICTOR B. DEYBER, GARRISON BABCOCK. 

